I danced from Warsaw to Dnipro.
The year was 1929. Warsaw, Poland. The wedding between the future Chabad Rebbe, Menachem Mendel, and his bride, Chaya Mushka, daughter of the previous Rebbe was being celebrated. Notably absent from the joyous occasion were the groom's parents. His father, Reb Levik, was the rabbi of Yekatrinoslav (now Dnipro), Ukraine, which was under Soviet rule. The KGB, who had outlawed anything connected to Jewish life, would not allow him to travel out of the country even for his son's wedding. Instead, at Ulitza Mironova, #9, (Reb Levik's Shul) they had held an absentee wedding. The Jewish community came together, toasting L'chaims and dancing the night away with the Rebbe's parents, Reb Levik and Chana, to bridge the distance. In their hearts, the map morphed together and the oppressive Soviet regime faded away from their consciousness.
In 2006, I had the privilege of volunteering at a Jewish orphanage. The address was Ulitza Mironova, #9. Home to 45 boys (the girls had a separate home a few 
minutes away), each one with a less than ideal family background. We strived to provide them with the stability, care, and love that they so desperately were lacking. These boys became my family. It was an enriching experience, and as a result, I continued to return to lead their summer camp experience until I got married and started a family of my own.
2019. Dnipro, Ukraine. Reciting the blessing under the Chupa (the wedding canopy) at the marriage of one of the boys I was closest to. He has an incredible story and has grown into a fine young man, on a path of success and admirable accomplishments. I had flown on three planes and traveled
overnight on a Russian train to be there for this moment; for this boy. Yes, I had flown through Warsaw, to dance at the wedding of a boy who had grown up in "Mironova". The Soviet KGB is now gone. Instead, the Chabad center in Dnipro - the largest Jewish center in the world - stands defiantly and proudly. The Menorah Center is 7 buildings of flourishing Jewish life, from 5 classy kosher restaurants to the Menorah hotel, to a Jewish museum, and so much more. And yes, a stunning, state of the art, wedding hall.
It had been ten years since I was last there, and it took 70 hours of travel, but the map between Petaluma and the former "Yekatrinoslav" morphed together, the Soviet regime an obscure memory, and I celebrated a beautiful and memorable Jewish wedding with my "family".
From the Rabbi's Desk
From Warsaw to Ukraine
What Should I Wear?
Clothing. To care or not to care?
Shopping malls, boutique stores, brand names. A host of materials, textures, colors, and designs. Wrinkle-free, dry clean only, or tumble dry low. Does this outfit match? Are these colors in season? Elegance vs comfort. Decisions abound.
One question that we don't usually ask is "why do we care?". If I am doing honorable things with my life, have noble pursuits, and am trying my best to contribute to the greater good, then why should I bother myself with something as mundane and regular as clothing. Perhaps it is pulling focus from the more important things?
This is what strikes you when reading the bit in the Torah about the priestly garments. The Kohen Gadol (high priest) wore a golden breastplate with twelve inlaid precious gems, a robe with pomegranate shaped ornaments and golden bells dangling from it, a custom-designed apron made from the finest of materials. Why should it matter for someone so intensely involved in the spiritual, to wear such specific material clothing?
The answer is, The Kohen Gadol had an awesome responsibility. He served in the Holy Temple, representing the entire Jewish nation, to achieve Divine atonement and blessing. This task required a strong focus and an intense sense of devotion—one which he might not naturally have felt. However, donning beautiful garments, an action that made him “look the part,” ensured that his heart and mind were in total focus.
When you wear the right clothing for an activity, it gets you in the zone. When you wear your Shabbat finest; that freshly pressed suit or exquisite gown, you help make the moment special. You become in-tune with the experience and more effective at your task at hand.
Sometimes, just like changing your clothes, all it takes when you're not feeling it - is to simply try it on. You may find yourself, bedecked in this new glamorous setting, enjoying every minute.
We've Got Snow!
We don't get snow very often around here, so when we woke up to the beautiful snow-covered mountain caps on Tuesday, it got me thinking.
Spending time in the harsh winters of Montreal and Ukraine, we were split about this pristine white substance. When I'd wake up as a child to a New York blizzard, it was absolutely magical. Noses pressed to the frosty window pa
nes, my sister and I couldn't wait to put on our coats, gloves, and boots, and head out into the backyard to play and frolic, build a snowman, or help our dad shovel the sidewalk in front of our home. We'd then come inside for a hot drink with a cozy blanket and an interesting book.
But what about when snow days mean you can't get to work, and the car is stuck behind a mountain of snow shoved upon it by the snow plow? When it turns into a muddy slush or weighs too heavily on your roof. When your flight is canceled or the pipes freeze.
When we wake up in the morning, we can either choose to focus on all of the challenges and obstacle that we may encounter when we step outside to face the world. We may just want to pull the blanket back over our head and pretend that the world doesn't exist. Or we can choose to view the world through the prism of magical opportunity, a canvas upon which we can create, explore and grow.
Let's choose to perceive the beauty and blessings that surround us. Gather your gear and head out to play!
"A Tzadik in Peltz"
With the fluctuation in weather and the Siberian temperatures in the midwest, I was reminded of the Chassidic adage "a Tzadik in Peltz".
Translated, it means a pious person in a fur coat. What is the meaning behind this cryptic term?
When it is winter and it is freezing outside, there are two possible approaches. One is to build a fire, the other is to put on a warm fur coat. While both seem to accomplish the same goal, building a fire creates warmth for everyone in the area, while donning a fur coat only benefits oneself.
As we navigate life, let's ensure that we aren't complacent with our fur coats, thinking only about our own comfort and well being. Let's extend the consideration to those around us, light up their lives, warm their hearts. Let's change the weather!